JP3639644B2 - Sheet conveying device provided with cleaning device for sheet conveying means - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to a sheet conveying apparatus having an apparatus for appropriately cleaning sheet conveying means.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a retard type paper feeding unit in a conventional image forming apparatus, a feed roller generally does not have a cleaning member.
[0003]
In addition, the sheet conveying apparatus described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-42988 is provided with a cleaning unit. The cleaning unit for the feed roller 2 performs cleaning with respect to the feed roller 2 as shown in FIG. A method is adopted in which the roller 3 is brought into contact (note that the reference numerals in FIG. 4 remain as described in the above publication and are not related to the reference numerals used in the present invention).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional example, if the peripheral speed of the cleaning roller 3 is equal to the feed roller 2, the cleaning ability is remarkably low, and if a large peripheral speed difference is provided, the cleaning ability is improved. There was a problem that the wear and damage of the film was extremely large, and it was difficult to perform good cleaning.
[0005]
Each invention according to the present application aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the first and second inventions according to the present application is to reduce the frequency of bringing the cleaning device into contact with the feed roller. This is to reduce wear and damage while maintaining the cleaning ability of the feed roller.
[0006]
The object of the third invention according to the present application is to retract the deposit on the roller surface moved by the cleaning device to a portion that does not rub against the sheet on the roller surface.
[0007]
The purpose of the fourth and fifth aspects of the present application is to effectively move or remove the deposit on the roller surface.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first invention according to the present application is opposed to the uppermost sheet accommodated in the sheet stacking means and is provided so as to be able to contact with and separate from the uppermost sheet. A first feeding unit that is driven to rotate in contact with the sheet and feeds from the uppermost sheet; a second feeding unit that feeds the sheet fed from the first feeding unit; and the first feeding unit. The second feeding means cleaning device is configured to move toward and away from the uppermost sheet of the feeding means so that the second feeding means can contact and separate, and the second feeding means cleaning is provided. apparatus, said cleaning member sheet is rotated in one direction by a predetermined angle in association with the contact and separation operation of the cleaning roller of the first feed means for the cleaning member is provided on an outer peripheral portion for each sending predetermined plurality number of sheets sheet transportable, characterized in that the contactable with said second feeding means Apparatus is in.
In the above configuration, when the first feeding means is moved toward and away from the sheet, the cleaning roller of the second feeding means cleaning device rotates in one direction by a certain angle in conjunction with the contacting and separating action, and the sheet Each time a plurality of sheets are fed out, a cleaning member provided on the outer peripheral portion of the cleaning roller can come into contact with the second feeding unit, and the second feeding unit is cleaned by the cleaning member.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present application, in the first aspect, the second feeding unit includes a pair of rollers including a feed roller and a retard roller, and the cleaning of the second feeding unit cleaning device is performed. The cleaning member of the roller is configured so as to be able to contact the feed roller, and means for driving the feed roller in a direction in which the sheet is conveyed downstream and torque transmitted to the retard roller. A means for driving the sheet in a direction to return the sheet to the upstream side through the limiting means is provided.
In the above configuration, only one sheet fed from the first feeding unit is conveyed downstream.
[0010]
3rd invention which concerns on this application has a recessed part 0.3mm or less in depth in the said feed roller surface, and accommodates the deposit | attachment which moved the roller surface by the cleaning apparatus there.
[0011]
In addition, the depth of the concave portion on the surface of the feed roller is preferably 0.5 mm or more in view of the capacity for storing deposits, and is preferably 2 mm or less in view of the strength of the feed roller.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present application, in the above second aspect, the contact surface of the cleaning member of the cleaning roller that can contact the feed roller of the second feeding unit is made of rubber. It is characterized by being.
With this configuration, deposits on the roller surface are effectively moved or removed.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present application, in the second aspect, the cleaning roller of the cleaning roller capable of contacting the feed roller of the second feeding unit has a depth on a contact surface of the cleaning member with the feed roller. It has the recessed part of 0.3 mm or more, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
In this configuration, the roller surface is rubbed to effectively move or remove deposits on the roller surface.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a sheet conveying apparatus provided with a cleaning apparatus for sheet conveying means according to the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment. 1, 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views for explaining the apparatus of this embodiment. The retard roller 3 pressurized by the feed roller 2 is supported by an arm 12, and the arm 12 is configured to be rotatable about a shaft 12a. A shaft 12b is locked to one end of the arm 12, and one end of a hook of a tension coil spring 11 that pressurizes the retard roller 3 is locked to the shaft 12b. Further, the other end of the spring 11 is hung on the hook plate 13.
[0015]
The feed roller 2 is rotatably supported by the front side plate 39 and the rear side plate 40 integrally with the feed roller shaft 2a. At least the surface of the feed roller 2 is made of rubber, synthetic resin, or the like, and a recess or knurling having a depth of 0.3 to 3 mm is provided on the surface.
[0016]
The pickup roller 1 is integrally supported with the pickup roller shaft 1a and is rotatably supported by a roller arm 38. The drive is transmitted from the feed roller shaft 2a through the belt pulley 35a, the belt 36, and the belt pulley 35b. Further, the roller arm 38 is supported so as to be swingable about the feed roller shaft 2a, and a solenoid 42 for lifting the opposite side of the swing support portion of the roller arm 38 is fixed to the rear plate 40.
[0017]
A cleaning member 31b having a predetermined width in the circumferential direction is integrally formed of rubber on the cleaning roller 31, and the cleaning member is made of rubber, synthetic resin, or the like, and a recess having a depth of 0.3 mm or more is formed on the surface. Or a knurl is provided.
[0018]
The cleaning roller 31 or its shaft 31a is rotated by an intermittent rotation mechanism according to the swing of the roller arm 38.
[0019]
A description will be given of an example of the intermittent rotation mechanism. The intermittent rotation mechanism is supported on the front plate 39 via the torque limiter 43 so as to be rotatable with respect to the rear plate 40 integrally with the cleaning roller shaft 31a. The cleaning roller 31 is integrally provided with an engaging portion 31c.
[0020]
The feed arm 32 is supported by the cleaning roller shaft 31a so as to be swingable and slidable in the axial direction. The feed arm 32 is integrally provided with an engaging portion 32a. The feed arm 32 is urged by the spring 34 toward the front side, that is, the cleaning roller 31 side, and is also urged in a direction in which it abuts against the stopper 37. The stopper 37 is fixed to the rear side plate 40. With the above mechanism, the cleaning roller 31 is intermittently rotated in accordance with the swing of the roller arm 38 as will be described later.
[0021]
The intermediate plate 5 has a sheet 6 mounted thereon and is supported at a certain height by an arm 8. The cassette 4 stores sheets 6. The drawing roller 30 is configured to convey the sheet 6 conveyed by the feed roller 2 and the retard roller 3 only one sheet downstream.
[0022]
The operation in the above configuration will be described.
[0023]
3, the pickup roller 1 is in contact with the sheet 6 by its own weight as shown in FIG. By driving the motor 41 in FIG. 3 in this state, the directly connected feed roller shaft 2a and feed roller 2 rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The pickup roller shaft 1a and the pickup roller 1 rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 via the belt pulley 35a, the belt 36, and the belt pulley 35b. As a result, the sheet 6 is conveyed to the nip between the feed roller 2 and the retard roller 3.
[0024]
Next, the pickup roller continues to rotate, and before the second sheet is sent out, the solenoid 42 in FIG. 3 is turned on, the roller arm 38 is lifted, the pickup roller 1 is raised, and separated from the upper surface of the sheet. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the roller arm 38 lifts the feed arm 32 through the projection 38a, and the engaging portion 32a formed integrally with the feed arm 32 is formed integrally with the cleaning roller 31. It contacts the part 31c. As a result, the cleaning roller 31 overcomes the force of the torque limiter 43 and rotates by a certain angle in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Thereafter, in order to feed the second sheet 6, the solenoid 42 is turned off again, and the pickup roller 1 comes into contact with the sheet 6 as shown in FIG. 1. Further, the feed arm 32 receives a force so as to abut against the stopper 37 by the spring 34. Thereby, the inclined surfaces of the engaging portion 32a and the engaging portion 31c come into contact with each other. Then, the force of the torque limiter 43 is lost, and the feed arm 32 slides on the cleaning roller shaft 31 a to the rear side, so that the feed arm 32 rotates and abuts against the stopper 37 and stops.
[0025]
By repeating the above operation, the cleaning roller 31 rotates little by little, and the cleaning member 31b comes into contact with the feed roller 2 before long. Thereby, the edge of the recess on the rubber surface of the cleaning member 31 b rubs and moves the deposit on the surface of the feed roller 2 by the rotation of the feed roller 2, and drops into the recess on the surface of the feed roller 2. As a result, deposits are removed from the surface of the feed roller 2 that contacts the sheet. Thereafter, the cleaning roller 31 continues to rotate, and the cleaning member 31 b moves away from the feed roller 2. Note that the torque setting of the torque limiter 43 is smaller than the arm rotational operation torque generated by the contact between the engaging portion 32a of the feed arm 32 and the engaging portion 31c of the cleaning roller 31, and is engaged with the engaging portion 32a when the arm is restored. Since the arm 32 is slid when the inclined surface of the portion 31c abuts and is set larger than the torque generated by getting over the engaging portion and larger than the torque generated by the abutting of the cleaning member 31b and the feed roller 2, the cleaning member 31b The cleaning roller 31 does not rotate around when the feed roller 2 contacts.
[0026]
As described above, by rotating the cleaning roller 31 by a certain angle, the feed roller 2 can be cleaned by the cleaning member 31b every certain number of sheets. As a result, damage caused by rubbing between the feed roller 2 and the cleaning member 31b can be reduced, and adhering matter on the surface can be sufficiently moved by rubbing that is not driven. In addition, the cleaning member 31b is formed of rubber, and a concave portion having a depth of 0.3 mm or more is provided on the surface, so that the deposit can be reliably moved. Furthermore, by providing a recess having a depth of 0.3 mm to 3 mm on the surface of the feed roller 2 and retracting the deposit, the deposit can be reliably removed from the surface in contact with the sheet.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the feed roller can be cleaned with the cleaning member every predetermined number of sheets by rotating the cleaning roller by a predetermined angle in conjunction with the vertical movement of the pickup roller. Thereby, while being able to reduce the damage by the rubbing of a feed roller and a cleaning member, the surface deposit | attachment can fully be moved by the rubbing which is not driven. In addition, the cleaning member is made of rubber, and a concave portion having a depth of 0.3 mm or more is provided on the surface, whereby the deposit can be reliably moved. Furthermore, by providing a recess having a depth of 0.3 mm to 3 mm on the surface of the feed roller and retracting the deposit, the deposit can be reliably removed from the surface in contact with the sheet.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a sheet conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state when a pickup roller is dropped.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the sheet conveying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating when the pickup roller is raised.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sheet conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example of a sheet conveying apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pick-up roller 2 ... Feed roller 31 ... Cleaning roller 32 ... Feed arm 31b ... Cleaning member 31c, 32a ... Engagement part

Claims (5)

A first sheet that faces the uppermost sheet stored in the sheet stacking means and that can be brought into contact with and separated from the uppermost sheet. By moving in conjunction with the feeding means, the second feeding means for feeding the sheet fed from the first feeding means, and the contacting / separating operation of the first feeding means with respect to the uppermost sheet. The second feeding means cleaning device is configured to be able to contact and separate from the second feeding means, and the second feeding means cleaning device includes a cleaning roller provided with a cleaning member on an outer peripheral portion thereof. The sheet is characterized in that the cleaning member can come into contact with the second feeding unit every time a plurality of sheets are fed by rotating in one direction at a predetermined angle in conjunction with the contacting / separating operation of the feeding unit. Conveying device. The second feeding unit is configured by a pair of rollers including a feed roller and a retard roller, and the cleaning member of the cleaning roller of the second feeding unit cleaning device is configured to be able to contact the feed roller. And means for driving the sheet in the direction of conveying the sheet downstream with respect to the feed roller and means for driving the sheet back in the direction of upstream through the means for limiting the torque transmitted to the retard roller. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a recess having a depth of 0.3 mm or more and 3 mm or less on a surface of a feed roller of the second feeding unit. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a contact surface of the cleaning member of the cleaning roller that can contact the feed roller of the second feeding unit is made of rubber. 3. The concave portion having a depth of 0.3 mm or more is provided on a contact surface of the cleaning member that can contact the feed roller of the second feeding unit with the feed roller of the cleaning member. Sheet transport device.

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